Honorary Life Members

Several decades ago our club established the Honorary Life Membership award to recognize and honor members who had made substantial (out of the ordinary) contributions to the photo club and to nature photography, spanning over a number years.

Since its inception, we have honored the following people with this award:

Ernestine Freeman

One of the early club members, who was an excellent photographer in her own right, but probably contributed more by encouraging others and by promoting the Photographic Society of America.

Dr. Harold Laughlin

Founding director of the Heard Museum, who early-on recognized the value of nature photography. He was instrumental in the birthing and nurturing of the Heard Nature Photographers club and in staring the annual photography contest.

Harold Green

Harold & Nel Green

Honor Awarded Circa 2005Died: August 14, 2014Harold joined the club in the mid 1980's and served the club tirelessly until his death in 2014. Harold is honored for his outstanding contributions to the club, including Newsletter Editor and Publisher, Treasurer and Secretary, for over two decades.

Kay griffith

Honor Awarded Circa 2005Kay joined the club in May, 1996 and has been an active member ever since. She has served the club in many capacities including officer positions and in helping with the photo contest.

Rob Hull

Honor Awarded Circa Mid-2000'sRob joined the club in the early 1990's and served as President for a number of years. He established the Member's Choice contest and still coordinates it to this day. He developed and manages our web site and also designed the clubs logo.

Ron Marabito

Honor Awarded January, 2011Ron served as our Field Trip Coordinator, presented numerous programs and field trip presentations, & who helps fellow club members to learn more about photography.

Jim Ross

Honor Awarded February, 2012Jim joined the club in February, 2002 and has served as VP and then President for over 10 years. He is a tireless mentor and cheerleader for our club, plus coordinated many behind the scene activities.

Ed Pierce

Honor Awarded March 2015Ed joined the club in January, 2002 and has served the club in a variety of capacities. He's best known as our Refreshments Coordinator for 12+ years, procured snacks and drinks, called members monthly to remind them of their commitment (awarded 3/2015).

Larry Petterborg

Honor Awarded October 2016Larry joined the club in February 2004 and served as VP 2 years, Gulf States Camera Council Representative for 8+ years, presented at meetings, is currently our Newsletter Editor.

Honor Awarded October, 2016Terree joined the club in January, 2005 and served as Vice President 3 years, Field Trip Coordinator 5+ years, Just One Photo Champion 3 years, coordinated many behind the scene efforts.

Terree Stone

Jackie Ranney

Honor Awarded 2017Jackie joined the club in June, 2011. She has served the club in a variety of ways but she is best known as the driving force behind the annual photography contest. During her tenure as Contest Chairman, she helped guide the contest conversion from a print to a digital contest. She was also instrumental in expanding the reach of the contest to a broader audience of school age children.

Anita Oakley

Honor Awarded 2017Anita joined the club in July, 2008 and has served the members in a variety of ways. She spent years helping coordinate club field trips and most recently has worked tirelessly on the annual photography contest. Anita helped the club get online with contest entries, opening the contest to a whole new audience.

Honor Awarded 2018Peter joined the club in early 2008 after retiring, and has been active in club activities throughout. Peter served as the Photo Contest coordinator for four years until 2015 then was elected Secretary/Treasurer in 2016-2018 and became club President in 2019. Peter continues to serve on various committees including the photo contest committee, and an ad-hoc committee established to create Bylaws and Policies/Procedures for the club.